Redbox Instant, the collaboration between Coinstar (the people behind those DVD kiosks in front of your local grocery store) and Verizon continues to creep along towards launch. Yesterday we heard about pricing though the launch date is still pretty vague. Beta is supposed to start in January, last I heard.

Anyway Redbox Instant is going to under-cut Netflix with a $6/month streaming-only tier. (Netflix streaming is $8/month). Current Redbox users might be interested in an $8/month plan that includes streaming and vouchers for 4 DVD rentals. Bump that to $9/month for Blu-ray rentals.

Of course until we see how much streaming content is available we won't know if this service is a threat to Netflix and Amazon Prime Streaming or not. However according to Forbes Redbox Instant will also offer premium and on-demand content from Lionsgate, NBC Universal, Paramount Pictures, Relativity and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, which makes it sound closer to Amazon's model than Netflix's (a mixture of subscription and paid content). Additionally the service will offer films from Epix, Paramount Picture, Lionsgate and MGM 90 days after the "traditional premium window."

At launch the service should have apps for iOS and Android, as well Google TV and Samsung and LG Blu-ray players and connected televisions. No mention, yet, of apps for game consoles which seems like an oversight they'll want to rectify sooner rather than later, given that Netlix says the Sony PS3 streams more content than any other living room device.

You can sign up to be notified when the service becomes available at the Redbox Instant website.